The Mets look to shake off Wednesday’s clunker of a game this evening against the Rockies, who are off to a historically bad start this season. In addition to facing the Rockies, both teams will be playing against the weather tonight. As of writing, there’s a pretty consistent chance of rain from 9 PM on, that get worst as the night progresses. The threat of rain continues early Saturday before a dry Sunday.
Last weekend the Mets needed David Peterson. The game before his start had an early 90+ minute rain delay and the Dodgers and Mets ended up playing 13 innings, needing the bullpen to cover about ten of those innings. Peterson came through for the Mets pitching 7 2/3 innings the following game, holding the Dodgers to only two runs from five hits while striking out seven.
Overall this season Peterson has pitched 58 innings with a 2.79 ERA, 3.40 FIP, 1.276 WHIP and a 137 ERA+. In his last six starts he has pitched 36 innings with a 2.50 ERA, 3.57 FIP. He has allowed two runs or fewer in each start and has pitched at least six innings in each of his last four starts. Peterson held the Rockies to one run on four hits over five innings in 2024 and the Rockies have the following career numbers against him:
- Orlando Arcia 1-5, 3 BB, 2 K
- Brenton Doyle 0-2
- Kyle Farmer 3-5, 2B, 2 K
- Hunter Goodman 0-1, BB
- Ryan McMahon 2-4, HR, BB
- Mickey Moniak 1-3, K
- Jacob Stallings 1-4, BB, K
- Michael Toglia 0-2, K
- Ezequiel Tovar 1-3, K
Kyle Freeland has pitched 55 1/3 innings this season with a 5.86 ERA, 3.41 FIP, 1.681 WHIP and a 79 ERA+. It’s his third consecutive season in a row with an ERA above five, and his lowest ERA+ in his last six seasons, but he’s having a career best season for FIP. HIs FIP is 1.5 runs lower than last season and lower than any season where he had an ERA+ above 100. It’s probably because he’s allowing only 0.8 HR/9, which is lower than his last couple of seasons (1.7 HR/9). Last season he allowed three runs over 4 2/3 innings against the Mets while striking out seven batters. The Mets have the following career stats against him:
- Pete Alonso 1-3, BB, 2 K
- Francisco Lindor 2-10, 2B, BB, 4 K
- Starling Marte 3-13, 2 K
- Jeff McNeil 0-1, BB
- Brandon Nimmo 4-11, 2B, HR, 3 K
- Juan Soto 5-28, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 4 BB, K
- Tyrone Taylor 1-11, 2B, 5 K
- Luis Torrens 0-3, K
- Mark Vientos 0-2
Three Things To Watch For:
- Fielding and Walks. The Mets did not look sharp on Wednesday making multiple errors in the field leading to unearned runs. Compounding the fielding problems, Mets pitchers walked six batters, giving the White Sox so many chances. (The White Sox returned the favor walking eight Mets, but the Mets went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position, leaving 11 on base). If the Mets play a crisp, sharp game tonight, they’ll be fine.
- Brandon Nimmo. Last Friday Brandon Nimmo exited the game early with neck stiffness. Since returning he has gone 5-for-12 with a double, three runs and two walks (.417/.500/.500). He looked like vintage Nimmo on Wednesday collecting two hits and two walks.
- Familiar Face, New Place. The Braves released Orlando Arcia last weekend and he signed with the Rockies a few days later. The middle infielder has been with the Braves since the 2021 trade deadline, had his best season in 2022 (102 OPS+) and was a 2023 All-Star. He massively struggled in 14 games for the Braves this season slashing .194/.219/.226 (25 OPS+). In his first game with the Rockies he went 2-for-3.
Let’s Go Mets!
